Hi everyone! My name is Maya, I'm from East Lansing, Michigan, and this fall I will be a junior at the University of Michigan. I'm studying Movement Science in the School of Kinesiology (SoK) and Neuroscience in the School of Literature Science and the Arts (LSA) on a pre-med track. Outside of class, I do research with the Michigan Neuroscience Institute in a mouse lab, volunteer at the hospital in the Internal Medicine unit, volunteer at nursing homes with the Brain Exercise Initiative club and am in a few other clubs listed below. I am also an official tour guide and Campus Day Representative for the University! You can find me in the campus gyms playing IM basketball or weight-lifting any day, or cheering on our football, hockey, basketball, and volleyball teams at games! I'd love to talk about any and all of my experiences at the University of Michigan, from academics to social life to extracurriculars!

Hometown

East Lansing, Michigan

Major(s)

Movement Science, Neuroscience

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Brain Exercise Initiative, Red Cross Club, NMDP at UofM, Girl Gains, studied abroad in Cyprus during the summer term, research with the Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Human Genetics, tour guide and Campus Day Representative with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Describe your college experience

As an only child, my transition to college was rocky and very different from the lifestyle I was used to. The independence of college life and scheduling can be challenging to navigate but very freeing when done right. So far, I feel like I have really created an amazing balance for myself. Balancing academics with social life, maintaining physical and mental health, community service, research, and jobs, and extracurriculars can be difficult, but college is the best time to experiment with different lifestyles and find what works best for you!

Tip for future students

One thing I think every student should figure out before starting college is what kind of student they are. I honestly thought I wasn't a morning person before starting college, but my first semester freshman year showed me that I can't be productive with a late morning start to my day. Knowing your preferences before college can help you set your ideal schedule and make the most of your time! I would also 100% recommend studying abroad at some point in college. I travel a lot internationally but none of my experiences compare to studying abroad in Cyprus.

Favorite class

My favorite class was Exercise, Nutrition, and Weight Control (AES 241) because I loved learning about dietary and nutritional guidelines in a hands-on way that was applicable to daily life. We even got to do fun challenges and choose which assignments we wanted to complete, which made the class even more enjoyable. A close second was surprisingly Intro to Philosophy because it was something I had no experience with before and really enjoyed learning about in a discussion-based classroom.

Career goals

I hope to go to medical school or DO school and eventually pursue a career in anesthesiology, sports medicine, or osteopathic medicine.

Ideal way to spend a free night

I ideally would spend an afternoon with my friends outside (assuming the weather is nice), throwing a football or just lying in the sun in law quad. Then maybe I would host a small potluck, where we would spend time listening to music and eating together (and maybe studying).

High school or secondary school

Okemos High School

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite place on campus is the Law Quad because it is so beautiful and lively when the weather is nice. I love throwing a football with my friends, having picnics, or even just doing work when the sun is shining.